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Safavian Gets A Year In Prison For Role In Abramoff Scandal

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David Safavian, the former Bush Administration official who was convicted for the second time in December for lying and obstruction of justice in the Jack Abramoff probe, was sentenced today to a year and a day in prison, the Washington Post reports.

Safavian, who was chief of staff at the General Services Administration, was also convicted of lying on a financial disclosure form about the costs of Abramoff's famous 2002 golf junket to Scotland, which Safavian attended.

The Post reports that Safavian, whose wife is pregnant, made a plea for leniency to the judge today:

Safavian and his wife, Jennifer, begged Friedman for leniency during a hearing Friday in the District's federal court, saying their family had suffered enough without having to endure a prison sentence. They are bankrupt, Safavian will lose his law license and he will be barred from ever contracting with the government, they said. ...

Friedman said he agreed that a prison term was appropriate and that "a light bulb should have gone on" in Safavian's mind that his dealings with Abramoff were questionable. The judge said he would allow Safavian to wait until after his child is born to enter prison.

The sentencing marks a victory for prosecutors, just a day after a judge declared a mistrial in the bribery case of Abramoff associate Kevin Ring.

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7 comments

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October 16, 2009 2:06 PM   

"The judge said he would allow Safavian to wait until after his child is born to enter prison."

Will the US Marshalls be waiting outside the delivery room?

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October 16, 2009 2:16 PM   

Good.

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October 16, 2009 2:39 PM   

One year and one day for violating the trust of all Americans?
Whether or not he realizes it, he got off very lightly.
Judges should set a very severe example to completely discourage similar acts in the future.

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EH

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October 16, 2009 2:42 PM   

he knocked her up after being indicted. i wonder how the kid will feel about knowing that their existence was only to effect a ploy.

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October 16, 2009 3:12 PM   

I believe, but don't know for absolute certain, that a "year and a day" sentences are given to allow the person being sentenced to get paroled within a few months of being incarcerated.

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October 16, 2009 3:40 PM   

"Safavian...begged Friedman for leniency...saying...he will be barred from ever contracting with the government"

Well, duh.

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October 16, 2009 3:46 PM   

tpm - investigative reporting wiz - A little bit of digging

Follow the money - get some dirt on Tom Davis -retired previous R-VA11 - he was chair of NRCC during the reign of Delay's K street / Abramoff / Safavian... Oh and yea - Davis's assistant...Safavian's wife!

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